One of the more challenging problems to completely mitigate in a home is water damage. If left unchecked, it can lead to structural issues, mold and health problems the longer that it’s untreated.
Many signs of water damage are hidden within walls until it’s too late. Some clues can indicate there is excess moisture inside your walls, though it may take some expertise to find them all.
Knowing what to look for can help homeowners spot the trouble and hire a professional restoration company for water damage cleanup in Springfield Missouri before it becomes worse.
Bubbles In Your Paint
Bubbling paint often happens due to a buildup of water beneath the paint. Though the water gets through the wall, it may not have enough pressure to break through the paint, causing bubbles. It’s not advisable to pop the bubbles, as there is no telling how much water is hidden behind them.
Warping Door Casings or Walls
When water gets behind your walls, it can absorb into the walls and cause the door casings or the walls to warp. While this is visible, the damage being done to the building’s structure is hidden within the walls and may be a very serious issue that needs to be handled quickly by a professional water restoration company.
Soft Spots in Drywall
When drywall becomes moist, it breaks down and becomes softer. If any spots seem soft or wet, press them gently. With drywall, it shouldn’t be possible to push a small piece. If the piece does depress, there’s likely water damage in those walls.
Mold on the Walls
When there is excess moisture, it can lead to mold growth on the walls. Mold can be various colors and will grow over time. Along with mold, it may be possible to see water stains or condensation which indicate a severe water issue within the walls.
Musty Odors
A musty smell coming from the walls can be another indication that there is hidden water damage. Use the smell to find out where it’s coming from and see if there are any leaks. If none are detected, call a water remediation professional to get a look inside the walls.
With infrared thermal cameras, they can detect temperature changes from active moisture leaks that are invisible to the naked eye.
Increase in Water Costs
Increasing water bills may also indicate a leak. If there are no obvious leaks, then the damage may be behind the walls. Always call a plumber for increasing bills, especially if they rapidly increase, to detect hidden water damage before it gets worse.
What to Do if There is Hidden Water Damage
Water damage can occur for a variety of reasons. The longer it goes without water damage cleanup, the worse the situation will be in the end. If you think you might have water damage inside your walls, reach out to the professionals for help with water mitigation.
Turn off faucets or any running water in the area or use the shut-off valve to turn off the water to the whole home. Check that the water has stopped flowing in the damaged area. If it has, then the water damage is due to a leak. If it hasn’t, then the water may be coming from somewhere else, like a damaged roof.
Professional help is needed to restore a home after water damage. If you ever experience hidden water damage in your walls, call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration so they can handle the water damage restoration right.